YMCA in Durham reopens after hazmat leak hospitalizes 40 children

DURHAM, North Carolina (WTVD) -- A total of 42 people were hospitalized, including 40 children after a chemical leak in a pool at the Durham Downtown YMCA on Wednesday afternoon. Six of the children were in serious condition at the scene, but improved after receiving treatment, officials said.

The latest:

* 2 adults and 40 children were hurt, 6 initially considered seriously.* Sodium Hypochlorite, a chlorine compound often used as a disinfectant or a bleaching agent, was leaked* The Y reopened at noon Thursday, but pool will remain closed.* The patients have been released from the hospital after evaluation and treatment.

Jonah Kaplan takes a look at what swimming pools are required to do to maintain safety and cleanliness.

The YMCA said though the facility reopened at noon Thursday, the pool would remain closed. YMCA officials are working with local authorities and maintenance crews to determine an appropriate time to reopen the pool.

The numbers of people affected fluctuated from initial reports of 23 hospitalized, to 42 and then 39 as multiple agencies worked to coordinate the scene and release information.

The children affected ranged in age from 6 to 12. After their swim, some campers complained about nausea and breathing issues. Some showed symptoms such as vomiting, respiratory illness, and skin and eye irritation.

Dan Winn was in the pool when the spill happened. He said a strong odor flared up his asthma.

The Durham Downtown YMCA was evacuated Wednesday after what a YMCA spokesperson initially called a "maintenance issue" and the Durham Fire Department called a reported chlorine leak. Durham FD later determined that Sodium Hypochlorite was the chemical that leaked, not chlorine. The incident "appeared to be a mechanical issue," and not a human error.

The chemical is commonly found in bleach, water purifiers, and cleaning products. It used for everyday maintenance of swimming pools.

Breathing fumes may cause poisoning, especially if the product is mixed with ammonia.

Durham Deputy Fire Chief Chris Iannuzzi said the department responded to the call at 2:43 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found evacuation of the pool area in progress. About 35-40 people - adults and children - were in the pool at the time.

The victims were taken to either Duke University Hospital or Duke Regional Hospital. By Thursday morning, all the patients had been released from the hospital.

"Duke University Hospital has had approximately 30 patients who have been evaluated and treated in the emergency department, and so far, there have not been any who have required admission to the hospital," a Duke Hospital spokesperson told ABC News via email. "Duke Regional Hospital has had about 10 patients evaluated and treated in the emergency department, and none of those have required admission to the hospital."

"Earlier this afternoon, a lifeguard at our Downtown Durham YMCA reported a strong chemical odor near the pool pump room," the YMCA said in a statement. "YMCA staff immediately contacted EMS. They, in turn, contacted the Durham Fire Department who determined that this was a hazmat situation."

Meet Warren Poole. When the Durham @ymca evacuated due to chemical leak, he was using the gym. He's been waiting hours for his belongings pic.twitter.com/PmoxqncMnP